Obituaries

Leland A. Lawson
1921 - 2013
Eudora, KS

Leland "Pete" A. Lawson

Leland (Pete) A. Lawson died on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Eudora Medicalodges. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 27 at the Eudora Methodist Church burial will follow at the Eudora City Cemetery. Visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday December 26 at the Warren-McElwain Eudora Chapel. Pete was born in Vinland, Kansas the second of three sons born to Wesley E. and Crilla (McQueen) Lawson on May 2, 1921. He attended Stony Point grade school and Eudora High School. Pete was married for 71 years to Arlene Westerhouse, she survives at the home. During WWII He served in the Navy stationed on Saipan and Tinian Islands. He worked as an auto mechanic for Rothberger Chevrolet and later Broers Chevrolet both located at 736 Main in Eudora. Upon the closure of the dealership, he continued to work at the same location first with Ray Warmker at Pete & Ray’s, then later Pete’s Garage. Pete served as Eudora volunteer fireman and later fire chief and he volunteered with the Sheriff Auxiliary.Pete enjoyed fishing, hunting and wood carving as a hobby and was a member of the Kansas City Wood carvers club. He worked many hours at the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth helping to restore the 1913 carousel. Other survivors include Ken (Sharon) Lawson and Kaye (John) Spitzi all of Eudora, half brother Tom (Barbara) Snow, Chula Vista, CA and half sister Joyce (Ben) Way, Lee Summit, MO. Four granddaughters, Shawnua Stover, Noblesville, IN, Jamie Lacy, Jacksonville, FL, Kendi Baker, Flower Mound, TX, and Jacque McClaskey, Eudora. Six great grandchildren, Dylan Scribner, Joe Lacy, Tyler Stover, Kade Baker, Mindy and Mike McClaskey.He was preceded in death by his parents, his uncle, Glen McQueen and two brothers Murray and Bob Lawson.The family request memorials in his name be sent to Eudora Methodist Church, Eudora Medicalodges or Douglas County Visiting Nurses.Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.